Bruce Pearl’s extension to Auburn will take him through 2030. Auburn has released details of the extension, which Director of Athletics Allen Greene announced Friday night on Twitter.
Pearl agreed to an 8-year contract with a base salary of $5.4 million plus annual escalation of $250,000.
“I am grateful to our Athletic Director, Allen Greene and our administration, Dr. Jay Gogue, General Burgess and Rich McGlynn, for their continued commitment to Auburn Basketball and for helping us create a competitive program,” said Pearl in a school statement. “My intention when I came to Auburn was to be successful enough that this would be my last coaching job. My family and I love Auburn University, the proud tradition, the support of our alumni, students and fans, as well as the tight-knit community we have here on the Plains. I am grateful to all of my players, coaches, and support staff for making history. Auburn will be our family’s forever home. I am honored and blessed to be your head coach for a very long time. War Eagle!”
247Sports’ Brandon Marcello points out that with his new contract, Pearl will earn more than football coach Bryan Harsin.
Bruce Pearl will earn more annually than #Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin.
Base salary
Pearl: $5.4 million
Harsin: $5 millionraise
Pearl: $250,000/year
Harsin: $100,000—Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) January 29, 2022
Pearl has Auburn ranked No. 1 for the first time in program history. Greene pointed to the program’s “historic highs” as motivation to lock in the coach recently tied to the Louisville opener.
“By leading Auburn’s men’s basketball program to unprecedented heights, Coach Bruce Pearl has earned this contract extension that is commensurate with his level of achievement in the Southeastern Conference. We are delighted to agree to terms that will keep BP in the Plains for many years to come while investing in its assistant coaches and support staff,” Greene said in the statement. “In addition to the remarkable success of Auburn on the field under his guidance, Coach Pearl tirelessly championed Auburn Athletics and Auburn University while serving our community in countless ways. This extension ensures that Auburn’s commitment to Coach Pearl matches BP’s commitment to Auburn.
In his Friday tweet, Greene used a lockdown emoji before the words “for life.” We’ll see if Pearl, who turns 62 on March 18, plans to coach beyond 2030.
Pearl’s team hosts Oklahoma Saturday at 1 p.m. CT/2 p.m. ET in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.